Stories of Hope
Doing Hope... in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem

Words: Ribal Alkurdi — Executive Director, Alrowwad Cultural Centre
Photography: Alrowwad Cultural Centre
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Alrowwad Ramadan Iftar meal programme

“Alrowwad is not an aid agency, nor has our vision and mission changed.” Ribal Alkurdi, Alrowwad’s Executive Director

Ribal writes:
“At Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society, our primary mission has always been culture — using arts, theatre, education and media to empower young people and women in Aida Camp and the surrounding areas.

However, as the challenges facing our community have intensified, we have had to expand our efforts to include humanitarian assistance — ensuring that individuals maintain their dignity and have access to basic necessities.”

Ensuring dignity in times of crisis

Food aid: Alrowwad’s interventions now span multiple areas, including education, university scholarships, medical and therapeutic support and meal provision.
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“While our expertise is in arts and culture, the harsh realities on the ground have made relief work an unavoidable responsibility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, economic and political crises exacerbated the suffering of Palestinian society, leading to a significant expansion of our relief initiatives. Over the past two years, living conditions have deteriorated even further, particularly amid the ongoing aggression in the northern West Bank refugee camps.

In the Bethlehem area, and particularly in Aida Camp, the absence of tourism (which the economy relies on), the removal of Israeli work permits, and the partial payment of Palestinian Authority salaries, have left many people without any income.”

Support from the community, for the community

“The absence of adequate support from relief institutions, cuts to UNRWA funding, the Palestinian Authority’s economic crisis and the restrictions on international humanitarian organisations due to Israel’s colonial war have left many without assistance.

This has underscored the urgent need for a structured and sustainable Relief and Humanitarian Affairs programme. Alrowwad aims to alleviate hardship by working with local and international partners to assess and address urgent needs.

In the Bethlehem area, and particularly in Aida Camp, the absence of tourism (which the economy relies on), the removal of Israeli work permits, and the partial payment of Palestinian Authority salaries, have left many people without any income.

Our interventions now span multiple areas, including education, university scholarships, food aid, medical and therapeutic support and meal provision through the Tekeyet Aida programme — not only in Aida Camp but also across different areas of the West Bank.

Despite the hardships, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving the people — offering support from the community, for the community.”

A growing demand for Iftar meals

The Alrowwad volunteer team preparing Iftar meals. These are delivered to those who have signed up for them, with demand rising sharply over the past two years. Each year, Alrowwad has to turn down donations from organisations that request photos of people receiving meals.
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These meals come from the community, for the community. It is essential to maintain people’s dignity. How could we do that if we show them relying on aid? We Palestinians don’t want aid — we want our rights and a chance to live.

Please click here to support Alrowwad.

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